28th January 2013 -- Scientists at the Genome Institute of Singapore (GIS) headed a study which
culminated in the discovery of four processes by which gastric cancer is formed. With
gastric cancer being the second most common cause of cancer deaths worldwide
(almost 750,000 deaths annually) and also an Asian disease, this poses as an
extremely important find.

Using what is known as next-generation sequencing technologies, GIS scientists
were able to provide a comprehensive view of the gastric cancer genome,
characterizing micro- and macro-scale mutations. This led to the identification of four
distinct processes that cause mutations in gastric cancer. One of these was found to
have a targeted impact on genes and is potentially triggered by bacterial infection.
The other processes were found to have impact throughout the genome, and
included oxidative damage processes and the failure of DNA proof-reading
mechanisms.

The discovery of the mutative actions of these processes provides essential clues to
the formation of gastric cancers, paving the way for diagnostics and targeted therapy.

The findings were published online in the December 2012 issue of Genome Biology.
The GIS is a research institute under the umbrella of the Agency for Science,
Technology and Research (A*STAR).

First author and GIS Principal Investigator Dr Niranjan Nagarajan said, “Cancers are
constantly evolving, and therefore understanding how they do so is important for
finding new treatments. Mutational processes in cancer had not previously been
shown to have a targeted impact on the genome and on genes. With this study, we
show evidence of this for the very first time. This is truly exciting since it moves us a
critical step towards understanding and finding a cure for gastric cancer.”

Co-author and GIS Principal Investigator Dr Patrick Tan said, “This is the first time
gastric cancers have been analyzed at the whole genome level. This work further
showcases the reputation of Singapore as a world-leader in gastric cancer research.”

“Our study demonstrates that sequencing gastric tumours not only allows the
identification of mutations in the human genome but also reveals microorganisms
and their pathogenic gene content,” added Dr Axel Hillmer, GIS Principal
Investigator.

GIS Executive Director, Prof Ng Huck Hui said, “"This is a very exciting study that
probed into the genomic signature of gastric cancers. Through the analysis of
somatic mutations occuring in gastric cancers, this team has identified several
interesting genes which have profound implications in cancers."

The study is a project under the Singapore Gastric Cancer Consortium (SGCC),
which comprises:

(a) local collaborators – Genome Institute of Singapore, Cancer Science
Institute of Singapore, National Cancer Centre Singapore, National University
Cancer Institute, National University Health System, Duke-NUS Graduate
Medical School Singapore, Nanyang Technological University, National
University of Singapore, Changi General Hospital, National University
Hospital, Singapore General Hospital, Tan Tock Seng Hospital; and

The research findings described in the press release can be found in the 13
December 2012 advance online issue of Genome Biology under the title “Whole-
genome reconstruction and mutational signatures in gastric cancer”.
Research publication:

The Genome Institute of Singapore (GIS) is an institute of the Agency for Science,
Technology and Research (A*STAR). It has a global vision that seeks to use
genomic sciences to improve public health and public prosperity. Established in 2001
as a centre for genomic discovery, the GIS will pursue the integration of technology,
genetics and biology towards the goal of individualized medicine.

The key research areas at the GIS include Systems Biology, Stem Cell &
Developmental Biology, Cancer Biology & Pharmacology, Human Genetics,
Infectious Diseases, Genomic Technologies, and Computational & Mathematical
Biology. The genomics infrastructure at the GIS is utilized to train new scientific
talent, to function as a bridge for academic and industrial research, and to explore
scientific questions of high impact.

www.gis.a-star.edu.sg

About the Agency for Science, Technology and Research (A*STAR)
The Agency for Science, Technology and Research (A*STAR) is Singapore's lead
public sector agency that fosters world-class scientific research and talent to drive
economic growth and transform Singapore into a vibrant knowledge-based and
innovation driven economy.

In line with its mission-oriented mandate, A*STAR spearheads research and
development in fields that are essential to growing Singapore’s manufacturing sector
and catalysing new growth industries. A*STAR supports these economic clusters by
providing intellectual, human and industrial capital to its partners in industry.

A*STAR oversees 20 biomedical sciences and physical sciences and engineering
research entities, located in Biopolis and Fusionopolis as well as their vicinity. These
two R&D hubs house a bustling and diverse community of local and international
research scientists and engineers from A*STAR’s research entities as well as a
growing number of corporate laboratories.